1. How do I install the Basefaces smileys?

2. I'm sick of the Basefaces smileys. Can I get the old ones back?

3. What are Basefaces skins and how do I install them?

4. Can I use the new smileys and still keep the old ones?

5. What are the keyboard strokes for each smiley?

6. Why are the smileys only animated the first time I use them in a chat or I.M.?

7. Why can't my friends see the new smileys when I send them?

8. How do I save/send the new flag?

9. Will there be more new smileys any time soon?

10. Is a Macintosh version available?

1. How do I install the Basefaces smileys? Simply download the file and unzip it. Then open the self-extracting file. You will need Winzip or a similar archiving program to unzip. A free evaluation version is available from www.winzip.com
Just remember: only those who have installed the Basefaces smileys can see them.

2. I'm sick of the Basefaces smileys. Sick to my stomach, in fact. Can I get the old ones back? Sure. Just download original smileys V6.0+ or original smileys Version 5 if you have an earlier version of Messenger.

3. What are Basefaces skins and how do I install them? These can only be used for version 5 or earlier. Skins are a way of changing the appearance of the icons in your Messenger. Once opened, the download will install automatically in your 'skins' folder:
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\skins
Then go to Login/Preferences and choose Appearance. There you can select the Basefaces theme and Apply. Visit Yahoo for more information on themes.

4. Can I use the new smileys and still keep the old ones? No. Because these are unofficial smileys, you have to replace the old to see the new. If you want to keep the old ones for another time, change the name of your smileys folder to 'originals' before installing Basefaces smileys.

5. What are the keyboard strokes for each smiley? Because we are replacing the old smileys, the key symbols stay exactly the same. So where: :( used to send a sad face, it now sends a sad face swallowing pills etc. Most retain a similar sentiment to the originals.

6. Why are the smileys only animated the first time I use them in a chat or I.M.? There is no way around this for version 5 or lower. You will find each smiley will be animated the first time it is used, and thereafter appears motionless. If you close the window and resend, it will begin moving again. Version 6.0+ seems OK in this regard.

7. Why can't my friends see the new smileys when I send them? If the person you're messaging hasn't downloaded the new smileys, they will still see the old ones. If you want them to see, either send them the downloaded zip file or refer them to the site.

8. How do I save/send the new flag? The new flags are designed to replace the old USA flag. Choose your country and save it as 55 (for version 6.0+) or 42 (if you are running an earlier version of Messenger).

Save to C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\Media\smileys

Then use keys: **== to send the flag in messenger or chat.

9. Will there be more new smileys any time soon? Maybe. There is probably a limit to the number of emotions one can convey using animated genetalia but please feel free to send me any suggestions you might have.

10. Is a Macintosh version available? Nope. Sincerest apologies to Mac users but apparently Messenger doesn't use cached files on the Mac version. Thus, they cannot be replaced. Sorry.